Heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida says he was disappointed after comments made by UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, as the Brazilian prepares for his next fight at UFC Vegas 113 in Las Vegas.
In conversation with Ag. Fight, Almeida explained why he accepted a short-term match against Rizvan Kuniev after his loss to Alexander Volkov.
“Actually, I always stay active. Even if I don’t have a fight, I help my teammates. When the UFC offered the fight three weeks ago, with the option to extend the contract, I talked to my manager and we decided to accept this first fight of the new contract,” he said.
Almeida described Kuniev as a tough opponent, saying: “Kuniev is a very dangerous guy, that’s why no one agreed to fight him,” he said.
“Everyone thought he won the fight with Curtis Blaydes, but I’m going there to play my game, come out with the win and get back on the path to the title.”
Reflecting on his recent defeat, Almeida added: “There is no defeat. There is learning. I controlled the fight from above, but I clearly lacked aggressiveness. That’s what I was trained for, but I wasn’t confident enough to execute it. I think that was the only detail.”
He also addressed Cormier’s criticism: “Cormier is an exceptional guy. I used to joke with him, but I think [what he said about me is] unprofessional of him. Because the man whispered about another athlete. Even though he is a UFC employee, he has no right to do so. I think it was disrespectful to me.”
